Montoya sets new Half record, Reichow wins the Men’s division
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We have the winners in the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Congratulations to Joel Reichow and Maggie Montoya. Maggie Montoya set a new course record of 1:09:26, besting Kara Goucher’s record of 1:09:46 set in 2012. This is Montoya’s debut race in Duluth.
Montoya met up with WDIO’s Dillon Morello after crossing the line, and said she had no idea that she was running at a record pace.
“I was just trying to keep my teammate Carlos in site,” Montoya said. “I have had a bad string of Half’s and I’m happy to have something good go here.”
She said she has wanted to come to Duluth for years and the course was beautiful.
“Beautiful venue along the water, it was so peaceful driving out to the start line, seeing the water,” she said.
Maggie Montoya sets new course record for Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. (WDIO)
Reichow crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 1:02:30. He is 29 years old.
“I tried to get it out a little bit quick, and started with a little bit of a gap and then people kinda caught up to me,” Reichow said. He said he turned the pace down a bit in the last three miles as the pack spaced out some.
This is Reichow’s first win. The Minnesota native says this was a goal of his. “It was amazing just hearing everyone cheer my name,” he says. “I’m super excited about it.”
Named after the first Grandma’s Marathon champion, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon has now become one of the largest half marathons in the country, welcoming approximately 10,000 participants each year to the shores of Lake Superior.
The first Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon took place in 1991.
Grandma’s Marathon Photo Gallery
The Elite runners at the start of Grandma’s Marathon. The Elite runners at the start of Grandma’s Marathon. All smiles at the finish. He looks pleased with the result. Looking at that finish line! So happy! Scenes from the finish! We did it! Very happy. Scenes from the finish! KSTP’s Tom Hauser stopped by the desk to talk about running the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Celebrating a birthday! Supporting each other during the race Nyah Adams speaks to runners and their families. Smiles and sighs of relief as runners finish the race. Runners feel relieved to be almost at the finish line. The Lift’s Baihly Warfield did the show, ran a 5K and met up with Alicia Tipcke at the finish! The crowd of runners waiting for the start of the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday. Alicia Tipcke is raring to go at the finish of the William A. Irvin 5K Alicia Tipcke and photographer Erik Johnson having fun at the events on Friday. Two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion, Dakotah Lindwurm at the press conference. The elite runners hold a press conference talking strategy on Friday. The kids got their own race number, a finisher medal and goodie bag. Parents brought their children to bayfront festival park to get some activity in at the Whipper Snapper race. There are fun short distance races at the Whipper Snapper race to inspire the next generation of runners! Whipper Snapper race features a half of a mile for older kids to run and those younger ones went an eighth of a mile. Serving spaghetti with a smile! Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat spaghetti. (WDIO) Pre-race celebration at the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. (WDIO)
